Maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health

15 February 2018 – Whilst much is known about the clinical management of labour and childbirth less attention is paid to what, beyond clinical interventions, needs to be done to make women feel safe, comfortable and positive about the experience. An increased medicalization of the process can undermine a woman’s own capability in giving birth and negatively impact her experience. These new recommendations bring together existing and new recommendations that address not only the clinical requirements for a safe labour and childbirth but also meet the psychological and emotional needs of women.

WHO, in collaboration with UNICEF, and supported by the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health and the ECD Action Network is guiding a process to scale up action and results for early childhood development in collaboration with countries all other relevant stakeholders. This process will produce a nurturing care common framework which will guide policy, programme, and budget support at country level.

22 December 2017 – This review of activities by WHO's Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health includes a range of activities from country implementation guidance for adolescent health, the establishemnt of a Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, a report on the global implementation of Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI), the development of a nurturing care framework for early child development, an evidence map of social, behavioural and community engagement interventions to new guidelines on child overweight and obesity.

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

25 November 2017 -- This important event is marked by individuals and organizations worldwide to raise awareness about this global issue and to take a stand to counter violence against women and girls. It is followed by 16 days of activism against gender based violence, which culminate on the 10th December, Human Rights Day. During this time, people are encouraged to wear orange, and buildings are lit up in the same colour, to symbolise a future without violence.

17 November 2017 -- World Prematurity Day is an opportunity to call attention to the heavy burden of death and disability and the pain and suffering that preterm birth causes, as well as a chance to talk about solutions. This year the theme is "Let them thrive," focusing on quality, equity and dignity. On this day, WHO, UNICEF and PATH have released a policy statement on ensuring equitable access to human milk for all infants

6 November 2017 -- WHO, 3ie and PMNCH have launched an evidence map and online tool to make available existing research on the effectiveness of social, behavioural and community engagement interventions for improving women’s and children’s health. It shows though there is a considerable body of evidence from which we can draw upon for lessons learned, there are still significant gaps in the evidence base.

20 October 2017 – The sexual abuse of children and adolescents is a gross violation of their human rights and a global public health problem. Millions of children and adolescents are subjected to sexual abuse with devastating consequences for their health and well-being which often last into adulthood. Adolescents and children who have been sexually abused have specific needs, different from adults. In recognition of this, WHO has published evidence-based recommendations which specifically help health workers to provide quality clinical care to children and adolescents who have survived sexual abuse.

Generating high quality epidemiological information and monitoring and evaluation data to strengthen the uptake and implementation of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health guidelines, policies and programmes.